(Associate) Water Resources Officer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

This is a re-advertisement. Previous applicants need not apply. Applications received in response to previous posting will be considered together with applications received in response to this advertisement.

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 68 members.

The position is assigned in the Strategy and Partnerships (S&P) Team under Water and Urban Development Office, Sector Group (WUD-SG). The WUD-SG has three key responsibilities: (i) conceptualize, process, and administer financial and TA operations; and deliver knowledge services to clients; (ii) support resident missions in their country engagement, lead technical work on sector diagnostics and country sector road maps, and contribute to business development efforts; and (iii) ensure ADB’s technical leadership externally and internally. Externally, the Sectors Group will lead ADB’s sector-leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work. The S&P Team provides strategic direction for ADB’s water and urban sector operations, and leads knowledge, innovation, and capacity building activities to support operations team under WUD and Agriculture, Food Security Natural Resources and Rural Development (AFNRD), Sector Office.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The (Associate) Water Resources Officer assists in the preparation and implementation of technical assistance projects executed by SG-WUD, management of S&P Team’s technical assistance (TA) portfolio, technical and administration tasks, and liaising and monitor projecting reviews in collaboration with other SG project officers. The position provides technical, analytical, knowledge and operational support to the Water and Urban Development Sector, with the other national officer under S&P Team.

The position will mainly support to the Water Sector Committee and related water sector activities, including coordination of peer reviews as required by ADB processing procedures and implementation monitoring of Water Sector Directional Guide (WSDG). In addition, the position undertakes research and analysis, project management, and knowledge management to support the SG-WUD and SG-AFNRD on water and related policy and sector work (covering urban, rural and basin water and thematic issues such as water security, climate change, water-related disasters, water supply and wastewater management)[1]. The incumbent will report to Director, S&P Team and designated International Staff.

[1] SG-WUD S&P Team also reports to Senior Director, AFNRD Office in relation to the wider coverage of water sector.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Management
• Take overall responsibility for SG-WUD S&P Team’s TA and trust fund portfolio monitoring and reporting
• Track TA and trust fund implementation progress for SG-WUD S&P Team’s TA and trust fund portfolio, including contract awards and disbursements
• Develop strategies for ensuring high TA and trust fund implementation readiness prior to approval
• Develop time-based action plans in coordination with project officers for ensuring TA and trust fund implementation progress is back on track where there has been slippage in implementation progress
• Review and provide advice to project officers on consultant recruitment approaches to ensure timely TA and trust fund implementation for TAs/ funds under processing by SG-WUD S&P Team.

Implementation of SG-WUD administered technical assistance (TA) projects
• Assist in the development and implementation of TAs and trust funds
• Prepare the required reports on TA and trust fund implementation
• Maintain and update relevant records in eOps (and SovOps once launched), CMS and the TA disbursement portal
• Assist in
o Quality control and editing of TA and trust fund concept papers and reports for circulation or publication;
o Consultant recruitment, management and monitoring
o Field supervision and reviews
o Support to TA and trust fund implementation consultants
o Liaising with regional departments

Policy, Knowledge Management, and Sector Work
• Undertake data collection, field visits as needed, and analysis of sector data/statistics, including for staff of SG-WUD Office and other offices as required to ensure relevant information is available for ADB operational needs.
• Update and implement knowledge management roadmap for SG-WUD Office.
• Oversee work of communications specialists on knowledge management and outreach for knowledge sharing within and across sectors and externally for SG-WUD Office.
• Support in partnerships management and outreach.
• Undertake analysis of policy and sector issues and prepare corresponding policy/sector notes
o Identity and document good practices in the sector and contribute technical research for knowledge product development.
o Monitor relevant water sector emerging issues, developments and summarize for dissemination to ADB SG-WUD Office members (and more widely as appropriate).
• Participate in peer review meetings; including ensuring adequate minutes are recorded and filed.
• Provide technical inputs to the preparation of ADB’s sectoral/sub-sectoral reports
• Assist in preparation of briefing notes and presentation materials for workshops, conferences, meetings, and seminars,
• Contribute to the development of water sector presentations and management speeches.

Support to Water and Urban Development Committees and relevant SG Offices
Assist in the coordination of the ADB-wide sectors related to SG-WUD Office, including:
• Scheduling and organization of SG related meetings, formal and informal seminars, and workshops.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of SharePoint sites.
• Assist in the coordination and maintenance of partnerships with external institutions and agencies.
• Provide technical inputs to SG’s reports.
• Coordination of ADB peer review processes as required, ensuring peer reviewers are identified in time, reviews are conducted on-schedule, peer review meetings are held, and appropriate records are maintained.
• Assist in reviewing and monitoring of the implementation progress on Water Sector Directional Guide and Urban Development Sector Directional Guide.
• Assist in technical content and quality control of water sector newsletters and SharePoint sites.
• Assist in organization and delivery of water sector events, conferences and learning events, including support to ADB participants at external events.

Operational support
• Assist in the preparation of the division’s work program with estimated source requirements, accomplishment reports, three-year rolling work program, and ADB annual report.
• Contribute to the preparation of annual budget by consolidating the Division’s work program and preparing corresponding financial resource requirements and background materials.
• Assist in the coordination of the division’s inputs to the department’s information system.
• Assist in ensuring appropriate records are filed and indexed in SharePoint .
• Assist with inter-departmental and external coordination for production of publications.

Others
• Perform other duties that may be assigned and reflected in the incumbent’s workplan.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, economics, public policy in related field (e.g., water, urban development, climate change), or equivalent. Preferably with advanced training.
• At least 6 years work experience relevant in water and/or urban-related infrastructure financing, planning, operations, and research, preferably including experience in development field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strong research and presentation skills
• Strong IT skills including standard software tools and ADB IT systems
• Knowledge of ADB products, processes, and systems on project/program processing and other programming activities.
• Familiarity and background in policy analysis and capability in statistical analysis is required.
• Familiarity with work programming, monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to liaise and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work collaboratively with teams as a constructive team member.
• Ability to mentor junior staff to facilitate work planning, delivery and quality review.
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for National Staff Level 1/2.

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

ADB seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.